As an antidote to Montreal’s brutal winters, the city springs to life in the summer. From around May to September (if the weather cooperates), restaurants, bars, and cafés burst out onto sidewalks, rooftops, patios and courtyards—or terrasses, as locals say in French. From romantic destinations for date night to spectacular views to lively alfresco brunch spots, the best terrace restaurants in Montreal promise a memorable meal outdoors.
A seafood-centric fine-dining spot in Plateau/Mile End features an outdoor space with stunning Jeanne-Mance Park views. An acclaimed Swedish-American chef brings Japanese-accented fare to a swanky hotel terrasse in central Montreal. In Outremont, a beloved Syrian restaurant is home to one of the city’s best streetside setups, ringed by trees and planters.
These are the terrasses and alfresco spaces best equipped for a hot and humid southeastern Canadian summer. Read on for a guide to the best terrace restaurants in Montreal that nail outdoor dining. Kick-off patio season and book your sunny meal out now on OpenTable.
The best terrace restaurants in Montreal for outdoor dining – read on for a guide
For an intimate neighbourhood gem with daily-changing dishes – try Tuck Shop in Griffintown / St-Henri
The eclectic, market-driven menu and bustling, friendly vibe have made Tuck Shop a neighbourhood institution beloved by locals. You’ll find a warm welcome from the attentive staff as you enter, and a generally relaxed and unpretentious vibe throughout. The patio tables are heated and covered, so even if a shower hits, you can remain al fresco. The menu changes almost daily, with a strong slant towards the most hyper-seasonal ingredients. Sample dishes may include Hokkaido scallop crudo with wasabi greens, freshly shucked oysters with mignonette, barbecue pork ribs with sea buckthorn, and duck magret with duck confit croquette and sunchoke. The cocktail list is small but features daily specials such as the refreshing Adam’s Daiquiri with Stiggin’s Fancy rum, benedictine and lime.
For one of the best terrace restaurants in Montreal with a Parisian brasserie vibe – book your seat at Gaspar French Brasserie in Old Montreal
The unique blend of faithful French techniques and modern Montreal cuisine combined with views over vibrant De la Commune Street makes Gaspar French Brasserie one of the best terrace restaurants in Montreal without a doubt. The market-fresh traditions of French cuisine are evolved to create forward-thinking dishes inspired by local produce. Think confit de canard with braised savoy cabbage and blueberry sauce, tartare de bison with raspberry BBQ and crispy rice, and moelle et escargots with bone marrow and brioche croutons. The weekend brunch menu is also packed with all your favourite classics, from eggs to smoked salmon. All this and more can be enjoyed in summer on the lush terrace, while you people-watch across one of the city’s most happening streets. Soak up the sunshine outdoors or take a seat in the intimate and elegant indoor dining room bathed in natural light.
For special occasions – book a table at Renoir in Downtown
With polished stone walls, colorful umbrellas, and plenty of plants, the terrace at the Sofitel’s in-house restaurant Renoir feels far from the bustle of Sherbrooke Street below. Executive chef Olivier Perret oversees a menu of vibrant modern French fare, loaded with zingy flavours in dishes such as ham and cheddar croque monsieur, olive tapenade and croutons, and tempura shrimp with spicy mayo. For special occasions, the La Table d’Hôtes du chef Olivier brings together a unique three-course meal based on the freshest arrivals, such as Gaspesian crab cake with elderberries and Canadian pike quenelle with lobster bisque. A menu of bar bites such as charcuterie boards and Quebec cheese is ideal for a languid summer afternoon. Special events are a regular occurrence, celebrating holidays and more with entertainment including the tunes of a live DJ.
For one of the best rooftop terraces in Montreal – try Marcus in Downtown
Acclaimed Swedish-American chef Marcus Samuelsson made the leap across the border with his namesake restaurant in central Montreal’s luxe Four Seasons Hotel. Set on the building’s third floor, Marcus’s glimmering white terrasse is one of the best rooftops in Montreal, ringed with greenery and giving off a distinctly Californian vibe. Samuelsson’s team serves a seafood-focused menu that nods to Japan with dishes such as sesame black cod with edamame or lobster and chilli pasta, and many standout vegetable and meat options like sweet and sour aubergine with togarashi and Quebec maple syrup, and chicken kopanisti with roasted garlic and fresh herbs.
For one of the best terrace restaurants in Montreal with dazzling views – try Terrasse William Gray in Old Montreal
Head up to the eighth floor of the boutique-style Hôtel William Gray to find the best rooftop in Montreal, Terrasse William Gray, and take in a formidable view of Old Montreal, the St. Lawrence River, and beyond. Pair it all with sangria or a spritz, plus casual bites including a charcuterie and cheese board, beef carpaccio, crispy shrimps, porcini cream orecchiette, truffle fries and a killer burger with bacon, onion marmalade and sun-dried tomato aioli.
For a transportative meal out – book a table at Damas in Outremont
One of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants also has one of its best streetside terrasses, ringed by trees and planters on a leafy street in Outremont. Fine Syrian food is the focus at Damas, with silky smooth dips and tender charcoal-grilled lamb and chicken. The tasting menu is an excellent choice that lets you sample a large part of the impeccable Middle Eastern menu here. Expect 10 to 12 courses featuring smoked eggplant purée, sheep milk labneh, stuffed fried dumplings, hummus with marinated lamb striploin shawarma and braised duck leg served with fried garlic chips.
For one of the best terraces in Montreal for date night – try Maison Boulud in Downtown
Daniel Boulud’s Montreal outpost at the Ritz-Carlton is a veritable oasis in the city’s concrete jungle. Maison Boulud‘s veranda, right on the hotel’s landscaped garden, is one of Montreal’s most striking outdoor dining options, and the exquisite food from executive chef Romain Cagnat matches the dreamy ambiance. Expect a French-accented menu with foie gras terrine and Grand Marnier, octopus carpaccio with Iberico chorizo, seared salmon in champagne sauce with Kaluga caviar, and côte de bœuf for two to share with two sides and sauces.
For one of the best terrace restaurants in Montreal for pizza – visit Fiorellino Laurier in Outremont
This casual take on Italian dining comes from the owners of the famed but shuttered Montreal supper club Buonanotte. Fiorellino Laurier‘s menu is made up of classics such as antipasti, pasta, and a robust selection of red and white pizzas. They are all best devoured on the terrace, a large wooden deck stretching out onto quiet and leafy Laurier Avenue, making this one of the best terrace restaurants in Montreal. The original Fiorellino downtown restaurant also has some outdoor seating.
For one of the best outdoor dining restaurants in Montreal for local fare – book at Hoogan & Beaufort in Rosemont
Chef Marc-André Jetté converted a former industrial building in Rosemont into Hoogan & Beaufort, one of the city’s most popular outdoor dining destinations with a spacious courtyard terrace and an in-house fire pit. Impeccably crafted fresh pasta dishes and meaty mains that showcase Quebec’s bounty are just as stunning to look at as they are to eat. Top choices from the a la carte menu include scallops in almond sauce, veal tartare with nettle, and Kanauk trout with daikon. For a special occasion, order the tasting menu showcasing the chef’s favourite dishes of the day and a stellar wine pairing. For more fine wines, visit the sister wine bar Annette bar à vin for blind tastings and live jazz Sundays.
For a stellar Italian-style brunch and aperitivo – book a table at Jacopo in Old Montreal
Jacopo may have the best terrasse in town for people-watching and heritage architecture views, thanks to a prime location in the heart of Old Montreal. The menu led by executive chef Giovanni Vella (of celebrated eatery BEVO Bar + Pizzeria) is all about trattoria-style Italian fare. Housemade pasta lies at the heart of the selection, but heartier secondi, such as meat dishes braised in a stone oven, grilled shrimps with spicy rosé sauce and braised short ribs with polenta and red wine sauce also figure among the must-try options. Don’t miss the stellar fettuccine served with a creamy white wine and truffle sauce prepared in a pecorino cheese wheel at the table, and stop by on a weekend for an Italian-style brunch with bellinis and pane dorato, or Italian-style French toast.
For one of the best terrace restaurants in Montreal for fine wines – visit Mauvais Garçons in Griffintown
Upscale bistro Mauvais Garçons serves creative dishes that strike the ideal balance between class and comfort, with a little international flair to boot. Think burrata studded with za’atar, tuna tataki tacos, beef tartare with truffle aioli, and buffalo chicken sliders with homemade slaw. The experience menu offers six courses plus dessert, with dishes such as tuna tartare and a daily special arancini. It’s the kind of casual summery fare you’ll want to eat outside–and that’s doable, courtesy of a hedge-ringed off-street terrasse that brings a garden party atmosphere. Bonus points for the terrasse’s cover, equipped for Montreal’s impromptu summer storms. The curated wine list is globally inspired, with carefully chosen crisp whites, rich reds and bubbles from around the world.
For one of the best seafood restaurants in Montreal – visit Le Filet in Plateau/Mile End
This seafood-centric fine-dining haunt from the owners of Montreal’s famed Le Club Chasse et Pêche features a knockout terrasse looking out onto beautiful Jeanne-Mance Park. But the main attraction at Le Filet is the excellent menu, filled with carefully sourced seafood and nods to Japanese cuisine. While the menu changes with the seasons, expect dishes such as kampachi with fried wontons, beets, and soya, and Icelandic cod with parmesan foam and black truffle. A few meat dishes round out the menu, such as grilled guineafowl with creamy polenta, and a must-try pork flank and scallops with braised red cabbage. And dinner at one of the best terrace restaurants in Montreal wouldn’t be complete without dessert – the honey cake with apple sorbet and coconut tuile is a refreshing summer treat.
The summer months in Montreal see restaurants across the city sprawling into outdoor spaces. From pavement patios to cozy courtyards and tantalizing terrasses, the best terrace restaurants in Montreal spring to life from May to September. And with many offering retractable roofs, awnings and heaters, you can even dine al fresco when the inevitable summer showers hit.
Hungry for more? Explore more of the best terrace restaurants in Montreal on OpenTable.
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